rather confusing Lovejoy about a fake pearl pendant

The ninth [Lovejoy mystery] ( )

Lovejoy always provides a chaotic, fun romp through the world of antique dealers in East Anglia, England. Those flat, sea dominated landscapes are the backdrop for all the scheming. The most delectable part of this series is the Lovejoy stream of consciousness which throws up arcane after arcane tidbit from the world of fine arts, craftsmanship and, of course the 'fiddles' of those completely untrustworthy dealers. It's a wonder to contemplate where Gash finds all this in the pre-internet world. Lovejoy' friends fill out a stable of diverse, humorous characters. Gash also delivers a fine sense of locale as these villains and heroes dash about. If you need a break from the noir Gash and his Lovejoy may offer a chuckle filled interlude. ( )

I can only describe this as a run of the mill crime story: it doesn't have enough, for me, to be rated any more.
Lovejoy is asked to trace a missing antiques dealer (WHY? He's not supposed to be a PI). The dealer turns out to be dead and Lovejoy is the leading suspect and; just to add to our hero's woes, he has a murderous crook cum dealer believing that Lovejoy has duped him into buying a forged jewel. It all works out to Lovejoy's advantage in the end, of course,after a few hairy moments. ( )

"Lovejoy attends a seance... East Anglia's scruffiest antique dealer and divvie is unconvinced by the spirit message instructing him to help Donna Vernon find her missing dealer husband. But a job's a job, and Lovejoy sets out with Donna on the trail. By the time he catches up with Vernon on the Essex marshes, though, it's too late. Then, harried by crooked police, watched by the Antiques Squad, hunted by a killer, and increasingly haunted by the medium's prophecy of what lies in store, Lovejoy becomes the bait at the priciest auction in the district." - Arrow jacket notes.
The Lovejoy books are interesting for the details about antiques and forgeries, and the crazy adventures the hero gets himself into. But I get tired of the nasty way he treats other people, especially women. He seems to care only about himself, antiques, and making a profit, and the books leave me feeling annoyed. ( )